Skyrider Patrol MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elf Scout |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2018-07-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2019 |
| Set code | M19 |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 224 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mitchell Malloy |
Text of card
Flying At the beginning of combat on your turn, you may pay . When you do, put a +1/+1 counter on another target creature you control, and that creature gains flying until end of turn.
Cards like Skyrider Patrol
Skyrider Patrol is a veritable asset in blue-green flying decks in Magic: The Gathering, much like its airborne counterparts. When examining the game dynamics, cards like Windstorm Drake come to mind; although the drake enhances other flyers, Skyrider Patrol takes a more active role each turn by bolstering a single creature and giving it a crucial evasion ability.
In the realm of creature buffs, we also see Merfolk Skydiver. Notably, it shares the counter addition aspect with Skyrider Patrol. Where they diverge is in the energy expenditure, with the Skydiver relying on proliferate to enhance numerous counters across the board. Skyrider Patrol, on the other hand, is more focused and can pump a creature during each of your combat phases.
Then there’s Thunderclap Wyvern, another enchanting flyer that gives a static boost to flying creatures. It lacks the incremental growth Skyrider Patrol offers, but provides an immediate, blanket power and toughness upgrade to your aerial assailants. When selecting between these cards, one must consider the synergy and tempo of their deck to fully utilize the patrol’s growth potential versus the instant support from the wyvern.
Cards similar to Skyrider Patrol by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skyrider Patrol provides steady card flow by offering a consistent method to buff your creatures, effectively turning them into bigger threats each turn. This can indirectly contribute to card advantage by overpowering opponent’s cards without losing your own.
Resource Acceleration: This flying duo enables resource acceleration by letting you put a +1/+1 counter on a creature you control every turn. This strategic placement not just strengthens your forces but effectively uses your mana within the growth process, giving you more leverage on the board.
Instant Speed: While Skyrider Patrol’s ability isn’t at instant speed itself, it synergizes well with cards that operate at instant speed. The ability to activate at the beginning of combat on your turn compliments well with spells you can cast afterward, keeping opponents guessing and unable to fully predict your moves.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Skyrider Patrol comes with a specific mana color requirement, including both green and blue mana. This blend makes it a less versatile pick for many decks, especially those that don’t run on a Simic (green and blue) color scheme. The inclusion of this card may necessitate a deck built around those colors to optimize consistency, somewhat limiting its broader appeal.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of 2 green and 2 blue mana, Skyrider Patrol can be a bit pricey to get onto the battlefield. This cost is substantial when considering other creatures and spells that could potentially provide a more immediate impact on the game for a similar or lower mana investment.
Discard Requirement: While Skyrider Patrol itself doesn’t require a discard to activate its ability, it does compel you to hold onto creature cards to benefit from its effect. In situations where your hand is empty or you’re trying to manage your resources carefully, the inability to utilize its ability to the fullest can be a considerable drawback.
Reasons to Include Skyrider Patrol in Your Collection
Versatility: Skyrider Patrol is a flexible card that can easily adapt to numerous blue-green decks. With its flying ability and the option to give creatures a boost and a flying ability each turn, it provides consistent utility on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic strategies where +1/+1 counters matter. It partners exceptionally well with proliferate mechanics or with cards that have bonuses whenever a creature with a +1/+1 counter attacks.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that rewards tempo and creature interaction, Skyrider Patrol holds its own. It’s especially useful in a meta with decks that may lack flying defense, letting you boost less obvious threats and swing in for significant air damage.
How to beat
Skyriders Patrol offers a unique edge in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to bolster creatures. Each turn, as you command the skies with this flying unit, it grants you the power to add a +1/+1 counter to another target creature you control, if you have the blue and green mana to spare. But how do you face down this aerial threat effectively?
To counteract the Skyrider Patrol’s advantages, removal spells are your steadfast allies. Instant speed spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch of the Patrol before its ability triggers, ensuring your opponent doesn’t gain the upper hand. It’s also critical to manage your battlefield presence, maintaining blockers with reach or other flying creatures to dissuade attacks or offer a trade if the Patrol gets too strong.
Bear in mind, enchantments that neutralize abilities, such as Pacifism or Darksteel Mutation can effectively “ground” the Patrol and prevent it from exerting its influence on the game. By anticipating your opponent’s moves and keeping removal or control options in hand, you can keep the Skyrider Patrol from soaring out of control.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skyrider Patrol MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Skyrider Patrol and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skyrider Patrol has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Skyrider Patrol card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-07-13 | Skyrider Patrol’s triggered ability goes on the stack without a target. While that ability is resolving, you may pay . If you do, a second ability triggers and you pick a target creature. This is different from abilities that say “If you do . . .” in that players may cast spells and activate abilities after mana is paid but before the target receives a counter and flying. |
| 2018-07-13 | While resolving the triggered ability of Skyrider Patrol, you can’t pay multiple times to give more than one +1/+1 counter. |